With the "Slash", Trek is explicitly targeting downhillers and freeriders who are looking for an enduro bike with the widest possible range of use for their riding style. It is unusual that Trek limits itself to a suspension travel of 160 millimeters, while other manufacturers in this segment are already well above this. Trek is consistently going its own way: after the "Remedy" was already reduced from 160 to 150 millimetres, the "Slash" is 20 millimetres shorter than the previous "Scratch".

In contrast to the "Scratch", the "Slash" will only be available with air suspension elements; a version with steel spring suspension is not on offer. Instead, the new DRCV technology is installed in both the rear shock and the suspension fork. This uses an additional air chamber to achieve a significantly more linear spring characteristic. Previously, this technology was only used in the suspension struts.

The downhill genes of the "Slash" can be seen in the details. The 66-degree head angle, the adjustment of the frame geometry via the Minolink on the rocker link and the chain guide fitted as standard give the bike strong downhill qualities.

Session: Downhill bike with 16 kilograms
Due to the omission of the "Scratch", the leap from the "Slash" to the "Session" downhill bike above it is considerable. On the other hand, Trek comes up trumps here with a carbon frame. Only very few bike manufacturers use carbon as a construction material in downhill sports, and Trek has recently become one of them. Aaron Gwin immediately won the World Cup races in Mont Sainte Anne and Windham on the new bike.

Those who want Trek to focus even more on descents have to switch directly to the downhill bike Session. And this is where Trek comes up trumps for the first time with a carbon frame. Thanks to this, the downhill bike weighs less than 16 kilograms. Aaron Gwin has already won the World Cup races in Mont Sainte Anne and Windham with this bike.

The decisive advantage of carbon: Trek can significantly reduce the weight of the "Session", making it one of the lightest downhill bikes in use. Thanks to the completely internally routed cables, the new "Session" is also an eye-catcher. With the geometry adjustable via the Minolink on the rocker link, the bike can be tuned for either downhill or park characteristics. Compared to the downhill setting, the park setting is firmer and has a slightly steeper head angle. In terms of suspension travel, Trek has upgraded the "Session" and given the bike 210 millimetres of travel (4 millimetres more than before).

www.trekbikes.com